The Amber Owl

Stasya lives in an isolated farming village on the edge of the mysterious Heartwood Forest with her unusual dog for company. Thought odd by the locals, she is tolerated for her rare gift with animals. Engaging with her fellow humans is difficult, with one exception: goatherd Lukas, who shares her love of storytelling.

The peace of Heartwood is shattered when a group of soldiers descends, under orders from the Ruler of the Northlands. Their mission: to hack a path through the forest and find the fabled treasure said to lie deep within. Under the gruelling decree, Stasya's village falls into chaos. The task is clearly impossible. The forest is alive with bears and wolves, and the old tales speak of evil spirits, monsters and uncanny beings. Nobody has ever gone deep into Heartwood Forest and returned safe and well.

When Stasya raises her voice in protest she is removed from her beloved home and transported to court - a different world. Word of her special skills has reached the Ruler's ears, and Lady Elisabeta has a job for her. But Stasya will not break her vow to protect the forest, even under the most appalling threat. Help comes from an unlikely quarter.

Secrets abound; dangers lie everywhere; and it is hard to tell friend from foe. As Stasya and her band of unlikely allies embark on a perilous mission, it becomes apparent that uncanny forces may indeed be involved. Maybe the old tales of the Hermit are true.

Juliet Marillier was born and raised in Aotearoa New Zealand. She is a graduate of the University of Otago and has had a varied career that included music teaching and performing. She now lives in a historic cottage in Western Australia.


Juliet's historical fantasy novels and short stories are published internationally and have won numerous awards, including five Aurealis Awards, four Sir Julius Vogel Awards, the American Library Association's Alex Award, and the Sara Douglass Book Series Award. She is the author of twenty-four novels, including the Blackthorn & Grim series, the Sevenwaters series, and most recently the Warrior Bards series, well as two collections of short fiction. Juliet loves mythology, folklore and strong, complex characters.

Juliet is a member of the druid order OBOD (the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.) When not writing, she is kept busy by a small crew of rescue dogs.

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